Autopia Ride at Disneyland: Things You Need to Know

Autopia Ride at Disneyland California

The premise at Autopia (located at Disneyland) is pretty simple. You get in a car and drive. Several vehicle types are available, and a track keeps the cars from straying too far.

In April 2016, Autopia got snappy new cars that Curbed LA says "look like something ​Magnum P.I. would drive."

What You Need to Know

We polled 279 of our readers to find out what they think about Autopia. 74% of them said It's a must-do or ride it if you have time.

Location: Autopia is in Tomorrowland

Rating: ★★★

Restrictions: 32 inches (81 cm). Racers who are at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall can strap in and drive a gas-powered race car. Children under age seven years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.

Fun factor: High for kids who haven't learned to drive yet, lower for the rest of us

Wait factor: Medium. The wait seldom exceeds thirty minutes, even when the park is packed.

Fear factor: Low

Herky-jerky factor: Low. But even though running into other vehicles is discouraged, cars sometimes get away from their drivers, and you could get bumped from behind.

Nausea factor: Low

Seating: Ride vehicles are shaped like small cars, with a steering wheel. They're painted in authentic Honda car colors. You walk up and step in. Each car can hold one adult and one child. Tall or big people may find the cars very cramped, even when going alone.

Accessibility: Drivers have to be able to press the gas pedal and manipulate the steering wheel, although a companion could do that for them. Wheelchairs and ECVs can get in the regular line. When you get near the tower, ask a Cast Member to help you with the elevator. You'll have to transfer into the cars to ride. If you're using a FASTPASS, ask the Cast Members at the FASTPASS entrance for help.

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How to Have More Fun

Scott Brinegar/Disneyland Resort

Don't be fooled by this ride. The cars aren't fast, and this isn't a test track. It was built for kids to get their first driving experience and not for adults to speed around on.

The line for Autopia can get very long, and it's in the sun. You might want to get a cold drink before you get in it. That is unless you've used some of our strategies for avoiding lines, in which case you won't need it.

It may be easier for your child if you handle the accelerator, and they do the steering.

Cars tend to line up at the end of the ride. If you keep your car going as slowly possible without stalling, you'll prolong your little driver's fun. And maybe cut down the time you have to wait at the end.

There's no brake, but taking your foot off the pedal will slow the car down and eventually stop it.

You can get a souvenir driver's license, but you'll have to pay to have your picture on it. The photo booths are near the ride exit.

Don't stand in line twice. Autopiaoffers a time-saving option for parents that is sometimes called Rider Switch or Child Swap. It’s designed for two adults who both want to enjoy a ride but have children with them who cannot - or don’t want to go. To use this option, get in line with everyone else and tell the Cast Member in the loading area that you want to “swap off."

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Fun Facts

Loren Javier/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0

Autopia is one of Disneyland's original rides, the only one in Tomorrowland that's been around since opening day.

The vehicles' maximum speed is governed at 6.5 mph, no matter how hard you stomp on the gas pedal.

Vehicles are equipped with front and rear bumpers, which is probably a good thing, considering that Autopia probably racks up more rear-enders in a day than all of the Los Angeles area freeways combined.